By Jalen Maki
Well folks, we’re almost there. In a few short weeks, it’ll be the start of the NFL season, which means now is the perfect time to make outlandish claims and bold predictions about how the Green Bay Packers will fare. But first, let’s take a quick look back at last year.
The Packers started out the 2023 season a little shaky. They went 2-5 in their first seven games, and first-year starting quarterback Jordan Love struggled at times. But something clicked around early November, and the Packers went on a tear, winning seven of their final ten matchups. They walloped the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs before losing to the San Francisco 49ers by three points in the Divisional Round, capping a season in which, despite the slow start, the team exceeded expectations while setting higher ones going forward.
The Packers’ offense, with the one of the youngest pass catching groups the league has ever seen, looked absolutely fantastic in the back half of the season, and Love was among the best quarterbacks in the league over the final 10 games. Love’s exceptional performance was certainly a contributing factor in the Packers signing him to a four-year, $220 million deal in July. With the contract averaging $55 million per year, Love joins the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence and the Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow as one of the three highest-paid NFL QBs annually in NFL history.
Jeff Hafley replaced the mildly beleaguered Joe Barry at defensive coordinator this offseason, the offense is looking to take another step forward as one of the NFL’s premier units, and numerous 2024 draft picks appear poised to be big-time contributors in their rookie seasons, if they’re healthy – offensive lineman Jordan Morgan, running back MarShawn Lloyd and linebackers Edgerrin Cooper and Ty’Ron Hopper have each been injured recently.
A massive and unsettling question mark remains at the kicker position. Anders Carlson, who floundered as a rookie last season, and veteran Greg Joseph have been battling it out in training camp, but there’s talk that Green Bay’s starting kicker might not even be on the roster at the moment, due to the uninspiring performances turned in by the current duo. This could cause some issues down the road, but hey, we’ll cross that bridge when we get there. All-in-all, things are looking up at 1265 Lombardi, folks.
Before we get to the week-by-week breakdown of the Packers’ 2024 schedule, I feel it is important for you, the reader, to understand that I am simply Just Some Guy, and in no way should I be considered as being anything even in the general vicinity of an expert. So, if my predictions are horrifically incorrect, it’s actually against the law for you to yell at me. Unless I’m right, in which case, you’re legally required to say I did a good job and give me a high-five. I know a guy who knows a guy who says he knows a lawyer; I’ve received word that this is iron-clad.
Alright, now that I’ve insulated myself from all consequences related to the things I say, let’s dive into part one of the preview.
Vs. the Philadelphia Eagles (in Brazil)
Green Bay will kick off the 2024 season in unique fashion: they’re taking on the Philadelphia Eagles in São Paulo, Brazil, on Friday, Sept. 6.
Philadelphia’s coming off a season in which they started out as one of the hottest teams in the league. This wasn’t surprising, seeing as the Birds went 14-3 in 2022 on their way to a Super Bowl loss to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. But last year, after going 11-1 through week 12, Philadelphia dropped five of their final six games in one of the weirdest, most shocking collapses in recent memory. The Eagles limped their way to a playoff berth and were subsequently sent packing by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round. The humiliating 32-9 loss marked the end of a strange season for a team that, just two months prior, looked like they had what it took to make another Super Bowl run.
There’s been quite a bit of change in Philly this offseason, but whether or not it’s for the better remains to be seen. Yes, numerous key players are still in the building, including quarterback Jalen Hurts and receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. But head coach Nick Sirriani swapped out Brian Johnson for Kellen Moore at offensive coordinator, and Hurts indicated this summer that the Eagles will have a largely new-look offense this season. Combine this with the retirement of longtime center Jason Kelce and the addition of veteran running back Saquon Barkley, and it begs the question: Will the Eagles still use the famous (or infamous) “Tush Push” that has been so successful in recent years?
The short answer is “Who the heck knows?” But regardless, the Eagles are still undeniably one of the NFC’s top teams. Philadelphia might still be finding their footing offensively early on in the season, but even so, the Packers will likely have a tough test in Week 1. MY PREDICTION: Eagles 34, Packers 27.
Vs. the Indianapolis Colts
The Packers will face the Indianapolis Colts in their Sunday, Sept. 15 home opener.
I am a big Anthony Richardson guy. In fact, I enthusiastically drafted the second-year QB in my fantasy football league. Richardson looked phenomenal in the first four games of his 2023 rookie campaign before a shoulder injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season. He’s reminiscent of the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen: He’s big (6’4”, 244 lbs.), he’s got a strong arm, and he’s a dangerous runner with the ball in his hands. There’s still a lot to learn about Richardson due to his inexperience, and there are questions about his accuracy, but he has so much upside athletically that I find it hard to bet against his success.
If the Packers want their first Lambeau win of the year to be over the Colts in Week 2, they’re going to have to contain Richardson – which, if last season’s small sample size is any indication, could be a tall order. But, up and down the roster, Green Bay’s got more talent, and they’ll be at home. MY PREDICTION: Packers 31, Colts 20.
@ the Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans might be the worst team in an ascending division. With the Colts (hopefully) about to have a full season with a healthy Anthony Richardson, the Houston Texans looking like they could make a jump into legitimate long-term playoff contention, and the Jacksonville Jaguars still with Trevor Lawrence under center, it could be difficult for Tennessee to make any real noise this year.
But, they’ve made improvements to their offensive line in recent drafts, and they have a good receiving duo in DeAndre Hopkins and Calvin Ridley. Second-year quarterback Will Levis has the arm power to chuck the ball downfield, but statistically, he ranked towards the bottom in the league in attempts, passing yards, and passing touchdowns last year. The defense doesn’t appear to have much to write home about, which leads me to believe that the Packers will leave Nashville with a Week 3 win. MY PREDICTION: Packers 35, Titans 17.
Vs. the Minnesota Vikings; @ Minnesota Week 16
Green Bay will get their first shot at a divisional opponent in Week 4, when they travel to Minnesota to take on the Vikings.
Similar to Tennessee, Minnesota is probably the bottom team in their division. This isn’t necessarily to say it’s the Vikings organization’s fault; the NFC North is simply one of the league’s best divisions from a talent standpoint. Minnesota has several Dudes on their roster, namely star wide receiver Justin Jefferson. And, longtime Packers running back Aaron Jones joined the team earlier this year. The Vikes also have another talented wideout in Jordan Addison, who’s currently looking to bounce back from an ankle injury. Tight end T.J. Hockenson could be out for up to half the season while recovering from tearing his ACL and MCL in late December last year, but he’ll likely have an immediate impact when he comes back.
The Vikings’ current quarterback situation is quite suboptimal. This year, Minnesota moved on from longtime QB Kirk Cousins, signed veteran Sam Darnold, and selected Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy in the first round of the NFL Draft in hopes that he’ll be their quarterback of the future. Early on, it looked like Darnold was going to get the starting job while McCarthy continued to get acquiesced to the offense, but the job is now officially Darnold’s – earlier this month, McCarthy underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn meniscus.
Both offensively and defensively, the Packers should have the edge in both matchups with their division rivals to the west. MY PREDICTIONS: Week 4 – Packers 31, Vikings 17; Week 16 – Packers 24, Vikings 21.
@ the Los Angeles Rams
In Week 5, the Los Angeles Rams will likely present the Packers with their toughest test of the season up to this point.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford has been one of the most consistent quarterbacks of his time. Last year’s emergence of rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua, coupled with the return of veteran pass catcher Cooper Kupp – not to mention having a backfield featuring Kyren Williams and rookie Blake Corum – should put head coach Sean McVay in a position to win some games, even though the NFC West will probably pretty dang good this year.
I do think the Packers will be coming into the matchup on a three-game winning streak, but considering they’ll be on the road and going up against one of the best coaches in the league, they could face an uphill battle. MY PREDICTION: Rams 38, Packers 24.
Vs. the Arizona Cardinals
After taking on Los Angeles on the road, Green Bay will face another NFC West opponent at Lambeau in Week 6.
The Cardinals are in a spot to make a jump forward this season, even if it’s a small one. They rattled off a few unexpected wins last year, and that momentum might carry into this season. Kyler Murray will ideally be consistently healthy, they drafted the dynamic receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. in April, and Trey McBride is a great tight end. However, their defense was Bad and Also Not Good last year, and they’re bringing largely the same group back. The Packers should be able to get a home win over Arizona. MY PREDICTION: Packers 42, Cardinals 17.
Part two next week
Next week, we’ll pick up with what is one of my most anticipated NFL games of the season and take a look at the Packers’ key divisional matchups in the back half of the 2024 season.
Jalen’s columns, “The Free Play” and “Movies You Gotta See,” can be found online at www.medium.com/@jalenmaki.